Valentine’s Day is like coconut: you either love it or hate it. We all love trees, that’s for sure! To make you smile this Valentine’s Day, here are some hardy trees that can grow in cities and have leaves that look like hearts.
Catalpa speciosa, or the Northern Catalpa, is a pretty medium-sized shade tree that is sometimes called a “cigar tree.” Because they can grow in most soils, catalpas are usually planted in cities. Patience is a virtue with catalpas, as it takes an average of seven years to flower. But their amazing show of big, white orchid-shaped flowers in the spring, which grow into thin, long green seedpods that turn dark and fall off in the fall, makes it all worth it. This tree’s huge heart-shaped leaves, which can be up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide, make it perfect for Valentine’s Day. Its fast growth rate and large canopy potential also make it perfect for urban areas. Northern Catalpas are available for free (!) through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.
The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a popular plant in our area that grows in yards, fields, and forests. It usually blooms in late February or early March. A huge number of tiny pinkish-purple flowers grow along the branches and even on the trunk before their heart-shaped purple leaves show up. A fast grower, redbuds can reach 15 – 25 feet in height in approximately 15 years. For this reason, it is often planted under power lines – a plus in a city like ours. You can get redbuds through our residential planting program RiverSmart Homes. If you plant this tree yourself, you can also get up to $50 back through our tree rebate program.
American Linden (Tilia americana): The American linden, which is also called “basswood,” is a stately shade tree that grows in North America. It is best known for the small, yellow flower clusters that grow at the ends of its branches in the summer. Honeybees are drawn to the flowers’ scent and want to collect pollen to make sweet honey. With its big, bold, heart-shaped leaves that turn a bright yellow in the fall, it makes a great shade tree. American lindens originally lined Massachusetts Avenue during much of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Recently, the Urban Forestry Division and the non-profit group Restore Mass Ave have planted trees along the avenue to protect and restore the historic integrity of the American linden trees that grow there. You can add one to your property for free (!) through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.
Bonus: Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) The Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is also called Chinese sumac, stinking sumac, tree of heaven, and stinktree. No matter what you call it, it is no angel. The tree of heaven is a rapidly growing deciduous tree native to China. It was popular for landscaping in cities because it was easy to set up, grew quickly, and didn’t have any insect or disease problems. It makes a lot of seeds and can grow well in even the worst conditions with little care. Because of this, it is a common, ugly, invasive tree found all over the U.S. S. What does this tree have to do with Valentine’s Day? When a leaf falls off a branch, it leaves behind a leaf scar. Tree-of-Heaven is known for taking over, and its big heart-shaped leaf scars make it easy to spot when it doesn’t have any leaves on it.
In spring and summer, glossy heart-shaped leaves unfurl on several common deciduous trees, giving them a distinctive look These rounded, cordate leaves may be several inches wide on some species. Their unique shape makes them easily recognizable
If you want to identify or incorporate one of these romantic-looking trees, read on to learn more about their characteristics and growing requirements.
Why Do Some Trees Have Heart-Shaped Leaves?
The fittingly beautiful heart-shaped leaves sported by certain trees occur mainly due to two reasons
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To increase the overall surface area of the leaf to maximize photosynthesis and light absorption. Broad leaves present more surface containing chlorophyll and stomata for gas exchange.
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For aesthetic display purposes. Heart-shaped leaves collectively form a pleasing rounded canopy, maximizing the visual impact of the foliage.
Both functions provide evolutionary advantages to these trees. The iconic leaves become their signature ornamental feature.
Common Deciduous Trees With Heart-Shaped Leaves
Here are some of the most popular and recognizable deciduous trees that develop stunning heart-shaped leaves each year:
Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides)
This fast-growing North American native reaches 60-80 feet tall and wide. Its huge, bright green leaves measure 6-12 inches across. Fragrant white flowers in late spring give way to slender bean-like seed pods. Provides filtered shade with light penetration. Tolerates pollution and resists pests.
Foxglove Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
Also called princess or empress tree, it displays the largest heart-shaped leaves of any tree, reaching up to 20 inches long! Flowers are unique vertical violet panicles. Hardy and adaptable but prone to reseeding. Grows to 40-60 feet tall with an equal spread. Originated in China.
Limes or Lindens (Tilia species)
Several Tilia species with heart-shaped leaves thrive in zones 3-7. Popular for their dense, pyramidal form and fragrant summer flowers. Grow 50-80 feet tall. Tolerate urban conditions. Varieties include:
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American linden (Tilia americana) – largest native North American linden
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Littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata) – most commonly planted landscape linden
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Common linden (Tilia x europaea) – a Tilia hybrid
Redbuck or Eastern Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
An underutilized small ornamental tree reaching 25-40 feet tall. Often multi-trunked with branches displaying dangling fruit clusters. Simple serrated leaves turn golden in autumn. Interesting hop-like fruits attract birds. Adds unique texture and interest. Native across eastern North America.
Cucumbertree Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata)
This handsome pyramidal tree grows 50-80 feet high. Features lush deep green leaves up to 10 inches long and distinct cucumber-shaped fruit. A tough Magnolia species tolerating wind, cold, and clay soil. Provides dappled shade. Native to eastern US and Canada forests.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
A versatile North American native growing 30-60 feet tall. Variable leaf shapes include mitten-shaped, 3-lobed, and 2-lobed heart shapes. Brilliant yellow, orange, pink fall color. Forms thickets from root suckers. Tolerates drought and poor soil. The dried leaves, bark, and roots are used to make sassafras tea and oil.
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Also known as yellow poplar, this fast-growing eastern US native matures over 100 feet tall. Heart-shaped leaves have a truncate base. Showy tulip-shaped flowers. Distinctive greenish-gray bark with furrowed ridges. Demands room to develop properly. Plant as a specimen. Tolerates pollution and somewhat drier conditions.
Discover which of these stunning heart-leaved trees can flourish in your growing zone. They provide standout interest and ornamental appeal with their uniquely shaped foliage and growth habits.
Tips For Growing Heart-Leafed Trees
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Select a location with ample space to accommodate mature size. Most grow quite large.
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Plant in full sun to partial shade depending on species preferences.
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Water regularly for the first two years until established. Provide supplemental water during droughts.
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Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch around the base out to the dripline. Keep mulch back from the trunk.
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Prune only while young to establish proper structure and form. Avoid heavy pruning of mature trees.
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Control suckers and unwanted reseeding for neat appearance.
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Fertilize in early spring using a balanced organic fertilizer or slow-release tree food.
Enjoy the Beauty of Heart-Shaped Leaves
The wonderfully whimsical heart-shaped leaves of these deciduous trees add sentimental charm and distinctive architectural interest to landscapes. Their gracefully spreading canopies provide ample cooling shade in summer.
Choose the species best suited for your climate and growing space for years of enjoyment watching their billowing leaves dance in the breeze. Propagate them to share these romantic-leaved trees with fellow gardeners.
DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN LEAVES | Educational Video for Kids
What trees have heart-shaped leaves?
There are many types of trees with heart-shaped leaves around the world, and they play an important part in the diversity of the natural landscape. Some well-known trees with heart-shaped leaves include the Northern Catalpa, Empress Tree, and Eastern Redbud.
Are heart shaped trees evergreen?
The heart-shaped leaves are evergreen in tropical climates. This classic flowering tree of spring is easy to identify. Its branches are studded with small, rosey-pink flowers before the first leaves appear. Once the leaves take over, the tree remains attractive, as this heart-shaped foliage maintains a dark green color throughout summer.
What does a heart shaped tree look like?
Many trees have leafy foliage resembling the traditional shape of a heart. The leaves are triangularly shaped with a rounded base, indented at the center. The other end of the leaf tapers to an apex. Heart-shaped tree leaves can be cordate or obcordate, depending on which end has the petiole.
What do heart shaped leaves look like?
The tree’s heart-shaped leaves are its outstanding feature. The leaves emerge reddish-purple in spring and mature to blue-green. In the fall, the stunning foliage turns orange, gold, and red shades. An added bonus to the beauty of the heart-shaped leaves is their sweet aromas.
